Thanks Tom. It really does help to speak with others that have been through this. I am finding out that when I think too far into the future, that is when it affects me the most mentally and emotionally. I am starting to understand what it means to not think too far into the future and just think about what you need to do right now. I think that as time passes, it becomes easier to accept the unknown future. I say that with only knowing for a week. Before the actual biopsy, I was told that it was most likely lymphoma, which sounds easier to fix. At that point, I thought that I would have to go through treatment, and I would eventually be fine.
When the oncologist told me it was stage IV lung cancer, what he said did not make me feel very hopeful. He almost sounded dismissive, like I may as well give up. He even said that some people choose not to get treatment at this stage. That is when I decided to look for a second opinion. I am fairly sure his diagnosis is correct, but I want to make sure that no stone is unturned.
My wife was devastated and is not handling it well. That is the most difficult part for me. I can handle dying but cannot handle the thought of her being alone and without a good way to generate income. I feel like Walter White, AKA Heisenberg. I don't mean to make light of a serious situation, but that is how I handle it when I am not getting emotional about it. I am certain that I will be on a roller coaster as far as how I handle it.
Hopefully, I can help someone else someday like you are doing for me. Thank you.